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| Source document in Mormon Publications: 19th and 20th Centuries online archive: Times and Seasons Vol. 6] |
| TIMES AND SEASONS | ||
| "TRUTH WILL PREVAIL" | ||
| Volume VI. No. 20.] | CITY OF NAUVOO. ILL. JAN 1, 1846. | [Whole No. 128. |
HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH.
CONTINUED.
The brethren in Missouri again wrote the governor as follows,
"Liberty, Clay county, Mo.,
April 24th, 1834.
Dear Sir,-In our last communication of the 10th inst., we omitted to make enquiry [inquiry] concerning the evidence brought up before the Court of Enquiry [Inquiry] in the case of Col. Pritcher.-The Court met pursuant to adjournment on the 20th February last, and, for some reasons unknown to us, we have not been able to obtain information, concerning the opinion or decision of that court; we had hoped that the testimony would have been transmitted to your Excellency before this, that an order might be issued for the return of our arms, of which we have been wrongfully dispossessed, as we believe will clearly appear to the Commander in Chief, when the evidence is laid before him.
"As suggested in your communication of the 4th of February we have concluded to organize according to law, and apply for public arms, but we feared that such a step, which must be attended with public ceremonies, might produce some excitement, and we have thus far delayed any movement of that nature, hoping to regain our arms from Jackson, that we might independently equip ourselves and be prepared to assist in the maintenance of our constitutional right and liberties as guaranteed to us by our country, and also to defend our persons and property from a lawless mob, when it shall please the Executive, at some future day, to put us in possession of our homes, from which we have been most wickedly expelled. We are happy to make an expression of our thanks for the willingness manifested by the Executive to enforce the laws, as he can consistently "with the means furnished him be the Legisiature [Legislature]," and we are firmly persuaded that a future day will verify to him whatever aid we may receive from the Executive, has not been lavished upon a band of traitors, but upon a people whose respect and veneration for the laws of our country, and its pure republican principles, are as great as that of any other society in the United States.
"As our Jackson foes and their correspondents are busy in circulating slanderous and wicked reports concerning our people, their views &c., ws [we] have deemed it expedient to inform your Excellency that we have received communications from our friends in the East, informing us that a number of our brethren, perhaps two or three hundred, would remove to Jackson county in the course of the ensuing summer, and we are satisfied that when the Jackson mob get the intelligence that a large number of our people are about to remove, into that country, they will raise a great hue and cry, and circulate many bugbears through the medium of their favorite press, but we think your Excellency is well aware that our object is purely to defend ourselves and possessions against another unparalleled attack from the mob, inasmuch as the Executive of this State cannot keep up a military force "to protect our people in that country without transcending his power." We want, therefore, the privilege of defending ourselves and the Constitution of our country, while God is willing we should have a being on his footstool.
We do not know at what time our friends will arrive, but expect more certain intelligence in a few weeks. Whenever they do arrive, it would be the wish of our people in this country, to return to our homes, in company with our friends under guard, and when once in legal possession of our homes in Jackson county, we shall endeavor to take care of them, without further wearying the patience of our worthy Chief Magistrate. We will write hereafter, or send an express. During the intermediate time, we would be glad to hear of the prospect of recovering our arms.
With due respect, we are, sir,
Your obedient serv'ts,
(Signed) A. S. GILBERT.
EDWARD PARTRIDGE,
JOHN WHITMER,
W. W. PHELPS,
JOHN CORRILL.
P. S. Many of our brethren who are expected on, had made arrangements to emigrate to this State, before the outrages of the mob last fall. We hope the painful emergency of our case, will plead an excuse for our frequent communications."
About the last of the month I received, by letters from friends in the East, and of brethren in Kirtland &c., the sum of two hundred and fifty one dollars and sixty cents towards the deliverance of Zion.
May 1st 1834. More than twenty of the brethren left Kirtland for Missouri, according
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to previous appointment, accompanied by four baggage wagons. They traveled to New Portage and there tarried with the church, until the remainder of the Kirtland company arrived , who were not in readiness to start with them.
The following letter from Elder Phelps to us clearly shews [shows] the necessity there was of the saints in Missouri receiving assistance from afar:
"Liberty, May 1st 1834.
Dear Brethren.-There are great moves in the west. Last week an alarm was spread in Jackson county, the seat of iniquity and bloodshed, that the "Mormons" were crossing the Missouri, to take possession of their lands, and nearly all the county turned out, "prepared for war;" on Saturday and on Sunday took the field, near old McGees, above Blue; but no Mormons came; neither did Arthur go over to see about his spilt whiskey, so that the scene closed by burning our houses, or many of them. Our people had about one hundred and seventy buildings in Jackson, and a bonfire of nearly all of them at once, must have made a light large enough to have glared on the dark deed and cup of iniquity running over, at midnight.
"The crisis has come, all who will not take up arms with the mob and prepare to fight the "Mormons," have to leave Jackson county. I understand some have left the county because they refused to fight an innocent people. It is said the mob will hold a "general muster" this week for the purpose of learning who is who. They begin to slip over the Missouri and commit small depredations upon our brethren settled near the river, as we have reason to believe.
It is said to be enough to shock the stoutest heart to witness the drinking, swearing, and ravings of the most of the mob: nothing but the power of God can stop them in their latter day crusade against the Church of Christ.
Our brethren are very industrious in putting in spring crops; and they are generally in good health, and the faithful in strong faith of a glorious hereafter.
I remain yours, &c.,
W. W. PHELPS."
All hopes of relief from the General Government was destroyed on receipt of the following communication from the city of Washington:
"War Department, May 2nd 1834.
Gentlemen:-The President has referred to this department the memorial and letter addressed to him by yourselves and other citizens of Missouri, requesting his interposition in order to protect your persons and property.
In answer, I am instructed to inform you that the offences [offenses] of which you complain, are violations of the laws of the State of Missouri, and not of the laws of the United States. The powers of the President under the constitution and laws, to direct the employment of a military force in cases where the ordinary civil authorities are found insufficient, extend only to proceedings under the laws of the united States.
Where in insurrection in any State exists, against the government thereof, the President is required on the application of such State, or of the Executive, (when the Legislature cannot be convened,) to call forth such a number of the Militia, as he may judge sufficient to suppress such insurrection.
But this state of things does not exist in Missouri or if it does, the fact is not shewn [shown] in the mode pointed out by law. The President cannot call out a military force to aid in the execution of the State Laws, until the proper requisition is made upon him by the constituted authorities.
Very respectfully, your obed't serv't.,
(Signed,) LEWIS CASS.
To Messrs. A. S. Gilbert, W. W, Phelps. E. Partridge, and others, Liberty Clay county, Missouri."
"City of Jefferson, May 2nd 1834.
To Messrs. W. W. Phelps and others:
Gentlemen:-Yours of the 24th ult., is before me, in reply to which I can inform you that becoming impatient at the delay of the Court of Enquiry [Inquiry] in making their report in the case of Lieut. Col. Pitcher; on the 11th ult. I wrote to Gen. Thompson for the reasons of such delay; last night I received his reply, and with it the report of the Court of Enquiry [Inquiry], from the tenor of which, I find no difficulty in deciding that the arms your people were required to surrender on the 5th of last November should be returned and have issued his order to Col. Lucus [Lucas] to deliver them to your or your order, which order is here enclosed.
Respectfully, your obed't serv't.
(Signed) DANIEL DUNKLIN.
The following is the order referred to above:
"City of Jefferson, May 2nd 1834.
To Samuel D. Lucas, Col. 33rd Regiment:
Sir,-The Court ordered to enquire [inquire] into the conduct of Lieut. Col. Pitcher, in the movement he made on the 5th November last, report it as their unanimous opinion that there was no insurrection on that day, and that Col. Pitcher was not authorized to call out his troops on the 5th Nov. 1833. It was then unnecessary to require the Mormons to give up their arms. Therefore, you will deliver to W. W. Phelps, E. Parried [Partridge], John Corrill, John Whitmer,
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and A. S. Gilbert, or their order, the fifty two guns, and one pistol reported by Lt. Col. Pitcher to you on the 3rd December last, as having been received by him from the Mormons on the 5th of the preceding October, [November].
Respectfully,
DANIEL DUNKLIN,
Commander in Chief/"
"Kirtland Ohio, May 3rd 1834
Minutes of a Conference of the Elders of the Church of Christ, which Church was organized in the township of Fayette, Seneca county, New York, on the 6th of April A. D. 1830. President Joseph Smith Jun., was chosen moderator, and Frederick G. Williams and Oliver Cowdery, were appointed clerks.
After prayer the Conference proceeded to discuss the subject of names and appellation, when a motion was made by Sidney Rigdon, and seconded by Newel K. Whitney, that this church be known hereafter by the name of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Remarks were made by the members, after which the motion passed by unanimous voice,
Resolved, That this Conference recommend to the conference and churches abroad, that in making out and transmitting minutes of their proceedings, such minutes and proceedings to be made out under the above title.
Resolved, That these minutes be signed by the moderator and clerks, and published in the Evening and Morning Star. (page 352.)
JOSEPH SMITH, JUN., Moderator,
F. G. Williams and Oliver Cowdery, Clerks.
May 5th. Having gathered and prepared clothing and other necessaries to carry to our brethren and sisters who had been robbed and plundered of nearly all their effects; and having provided for ourselves horses and wagons, and fire arms, and all sorts of munitions of war of the most portable kind for self defence [defense], as our enemies were thick on every hand, I started with the remainder of the company, from Kirtland, for Missouri, and on the 6th we arrived, and joined our brethren who had gone before, at New Portage, about fifty miles distance.
My company from Kirtland consisted of about one hundred, mostly young men, and nearly all Elders, Priests, Teachers or Deacons, and as our wagons were nearly filled with baggage we had mostly to travel on foot.
On the 7th we made preparations for travelling [traveling], gathered all the monies of every individual of the company, and appointed F. G. Williams Paymaster of the company from the funds thus collected. The whole company now consisted of more than one hundred and fifty men, accompanied buy twenty baggage wagons, and we were more than sixty miles on our journey, having left but few men in Kirtland, viz: Elder Sidney Rigdon, and Oliver Cowdery, and a few working on the Temple,-except the aged. Zerubbable Snow was appointed Commissary General at the time Williams was appointed Paymaster.
This day also the brethren in Missouri wrote the Governor, of which the following is a copy:
"Liberty, Clay county, May 7th 1834.
Dear Sir: Your favor of the 20th ult., came to hand the 1st inst., which gives us a gleam of hope that the time will come when we may experience a partial mitigation of our sufferings. The salutary advice at the conclusion of your letter is received with great deference.
Since our last of the 24th ult., the mob of Jackson county have burned our dwellings; as near as we can ascertain, between one hundred and one hundred and fifty were consumed by fire in about one week; our arms were also taken from the depository (the Jail) about ten days since and distributed among the mob. Great efforts are now making by said mob to stir up the citizens of this county and Lafayette, to similar outrages against us, but we think they will fail of accomplishing their wicked designs in this county. We here annex a copy of the petition to the President, signed by about one hundred and twenty.
With great respect &c.,
(Signed) A. S. GILBERT,
W. W. PHELPS.
Daniel Dunklin, Gov. of Missouri."
Through the remainder of this day and a part of the 8th, I continued to organize the company, appoint such other general officers as the case required, and gave such instructions as were necessary for the discipline, order, comfort, and safety of all concerned. I also divided the whole band into companies of twelve, each company electing their own Captain, who severally assigned each man, in their respective companies, his part and duty, which was generally in the following order: Two cooks, two firemen, two tent makers, two watermen, one runner, two wagoners and horsemen, and one commissary. We purchased flour, baked our own bread, and cooked our own provisions, generally, which was good though sometimes scanty; and sometime we had jonny-cake, or corn dodger, instead of flour bread. Every night before retiring to rest, at the sound of the trumpet, we bowed before the Lord in the several tents, and presented our thank offerings with prayer and supplication; and at the sound
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of the morning trumpet every man was again on his knees before the Lord, imploring his blessing for the days.
After completing the organization of the companies on the 8th, we recommenced our march towards Zion, and pitched our tents in a beautiful grove, at Chippeway, twelve miles from New Portage, for the night. On the 9th we proceeded onward, and on Saturday the 10th passing through Mansfield, encamped for Sabbath in Richfield.
Sunday 11, Elder Sylvester Smith preached, and the company received the sacrament of bread and wine.
Monday the 12th, we left Richfield, for the Miami River, where we arrived, after daily marches, on the 16th.
During this march the brethren in Missouri wrote Col. Lucus [Lucas]s follows:
"Liberty, Clay county, May 15th 1834
Col. S. D. Lucus [Lucas];
Sir: We have this day received a communication from the Governor of this State, covering the order herewith, and we hasten to forward the said order to you, by the bearer, Mr. Richardson, who is instrueted [instructed] to receive your reply. We would further remark, that under existing circumstances, we hope to receive our arms on this side the river, and we would name a place near one of the ferries for your convenience; as the arms are few in number, we request that they may be delivered with as little delay as possible.
Respectfully, yours,
(Signed) A. S. GILBERT.
JOHN CORRILL,
W. W. PHELPS,
EDWARD PARTRIDGE,
JOHN WHITMER.
P. S. We will thank you for a written communication, in answer to this letter, and the accompanying order."
We forded the Miami river with our baggage wagons, and the men waded through the waters. On the 17th of May we crossed the State line of Ohio, and encamped for the Sabbath just within the limits of Indiana, having travelled [traveled] forty miles that day. Our feet were very sore and blistered, our stockings wet with blood, the weather being very warm. This night one of our enemies' spies attempted to get into our camp, but was prevented by our guards. We had our sentinels every night on account of spies, who were continually striving to harass us.
About this time the saints in Clay county, Missouri, established an armory, where they commenced manufacturing swords, dirks, pistols, stocking rifles, and repairing arms in general for their own defence [defense] against mob violence; many arms were purchased, for the leading men in Clay county rendered every facility in their power, in order, as they said "to help the Mormons settle their own difficulties, and pay the Jackson mob in their own way."
Sunday 18th, we had preaching as usual, and the administration of the sacrament.-Monday 19th, although threatened by our enemies that we should not, we passed through Vandalia quietly, and unmolested; all the inhabitants were silent and appeared as though possessed with fear. At night we encamped on an eminence, were we lost one horse.
Wednesday 21st, we forded While river.-Sunday 25th, arrived at the State line of Illinois. We had no meeting but attended to washing, baking and prepairing [preparing] to resume our journey, which we did on Monday the 26th and at night were aroused by the continual threats of our enemies. Notwithstanding our enemies were continually breathing threats of violence, we did not fear, neither did we hesitate to prosecute our journey, for God was with us and his angels went before us, and the faith of our little band was unwavering. We know that angels were our companions, for we saw them.
On Tuesday the 27th we arrived at the deep river Kaskaskia, where we found two skiffs, which we lashed together, and on which we ferried our baggage across the stream. We then swam our horses and wagons, and when they arrived at the opposite shore, the brethren attached ropes to them and helped them out of the water and up the steep bank. Some of brethren fell trees across the river, on which they passed over. Thus we all safely passed the river, and the day following arrived at Decater [Decatur], where another horse died.
Saturday evening, May 31st, we encamped one mile from Jacksonville, and made preparations for the Sabbath.
Two days previous the brethren in Clay county wrote the following letter to his Excellency Daniel Dunklin.
"Liberty, Missouri, May 29th 1834.
Sir: Your communication to us of May 2nd containing or enclosing an order on Col. S. D. Lucus [Lucas] for the arms which were forcibly taken from us last November, was received the 15th inst., and the order forwarded to Col. Lucus [Lucas], at Independence, on the 17th, giving him the privilege of returning our arms at either of the several ferries in this county. His reply to the order was, that he would write what he would do the next mail (May 22nd). But as
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he has removed to Lexington without writing, we are at a loss to know whether he means to delay returning them for a season, or entirely refuse to restore them.
At any rate, the excitement, or rather spite of the mob, runs so high against our people, that we think best to request your Excellency to have said arms returned through the agency of Col. Allen or Captain Atchison. Report says the arms will not be returned, and much exertion is making by the mob to prevent our return to our possessions in Jackson county. We also understand that the mob is employing certain influential gentlemen to write to your Excellency to persuade us to compromise our matters in difference with the Jackson mob, and probably divide Jackson county. We ask for our rights and no more.
Respectfully, your Excellency's serv'ts,
(Signed) W. W. PHELPS,
JOHN CORRILL,
A. S. GILBERT,
EDWARD PARTRIDGE."
Sunday, June 1st, 1834, We had preaching, and many of the inhabitants of the town came to heart. Elder John Carter, who had formerly been a Baptist preacher, spoke in the morning, and was followed by four other Elders in the course of the day all of whom had formerly been preachers for different denominations.-When the inhabitants heard these elders they appeared much interested, and were very desirous to know who we were, and we told them one had been a Baptist preacher, and one a Campbellite; one a Reformed Methodist, and another a Restorationer, &C. During the day many questions were asked but no one could learn our names, profession, business or destination, and, although they suspected we were Mormons they were very civil. Our enemies had threatened that we should not cross the Illinois river, but on Monday the 2nd we were ferried over without any difficulty. The ferryman counted and declared there were five hundred of us; yet our true number was about one hundred and fifty. Our company had been increased since our departure from Kirtland, by volunteers from different branches of the church through which we had passed. We encamped on the bank of the river until Tuesday the 3rd during our travels we visited several of the mounds which had been thrown up by the ancient inhabitants of this county, Nephite, Lamanites, &c., and this morning I went up on a high mound, near the river, accompanied by the brethren. From this mound we could overlook the tops of the trees and view the prairie on each side of the river as far as our vision could extend, and the scenery was truly delightful.
On the top of the mound were stones which presented the appearance of three alters [altars] having been erected one above the other, according to ancient order; and human bones were strewn over the surface of the ground. The brethren procured a shovel and hoe, and removing the earth to the depth of about one foot discovered skeleton of a man, almost entire, and between his ribs was a Lamanitish arrow, which evidently produced his death, Elder Brigham Young retained the arrow and the brethren carried some pieces of the skeleton to Clay county. The contemplation of the scenery before us produced peculiar sensations in our bosoms; and the visions of the past being opened to my understanding by the sprit [spirit] of the Almighty I discovered that the person whose skeleton was before us, was a white Lamanite, a large thick set man, and a man of God. He was a warrior and chieftain under the great prophet Omandagus, who was known from the hill Cumorah, or Eastern sea, to the Rocky Mountains. His name was Zelph. The curse was taken from him, or at least, in part; one of his thigh bones was broken, by a stone flung from a sling, while in battle years before his death. He was killed in battle, by the arrow found among his ribs, during the last great struggle of the Lamanites and Nephites.
Continuing our journey on the 4th we encamped on the banks of the Mississippi river, at this place we were somewhat afflicted, and our enemies strongly threatened that we should not cross over into Missouri. The river being nearly one mile and a half wide and having but one ferry boat, it took two days for us to pass over. While some were ferrying others were engaged in hunting, fishing, &C.; as we arrived we encamped on the bank, within the limits of Missouri. While at this place Sylvester Smith rebelled against the order of the company, and gave vent to his feelings against myself in particular. This was the first outbreak of importance which had occurred to mar our peace since we commenced the journey. While we were crossing the Mississippi river the elders in Clay county wrote Gov. Dunklin as follows:
"Liberty, June 5th. 19834
Dear Sir,-We think the time is just at hand when our Society will be glad to avail themselves of the protection of a military guard, that they may return to Jackson county. We do not know the precise day, but Mr. Reese gives his opinion that there would be no impropriety in petitioning your excellency for an order on the commanding officer to be sent by
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return of mail that we might have it in our hands to present when our people are ready to start. If this should meet your approbation and the order sent by return of mail, we think it would be of great convenience to our society.
We would also be obliged to your Excellency for information concerning the necessary expenses of ferriage &C. Are our people bound to pay the ferriage on their return? as they have already sustained heavy losses, and many of them lost their all, a mitigation of expenses on their return at this time, where they could legally be reduced, would afford great relief; not only ferriage across the Missouri river, but other items of expense that could lawfully be reduced.
We remain your Excellency's
Most obedient servants
A. S. GILBERT,
W. W. PHELPS,
EDWD. PARTRIDGE, &c."
"Copy of a letter from Daniel Dunklin Governor of the State of Missouri, to Col. J. Thornton, dated,
"City of Jefferson, June 6th. 1834.
Dear Sir.-I was pleased at the reception of your letter, concurred in by Messrs. Reese, Atchison, and Doniphan, on the subject of the Mormon difficulties. I should be gratified indeed if the parties could compromise on the terms you suggest, or, indeed, upon any other terms satisfactory [satisfactory] to themselves. But I should travel out of the line of my strict duty, as chief executive officer of the government, were I to take upon myself the task of effecting a compromise between the parties. Had I not supposed it possible, yes, probable, that I should, as executive of the State, have to act, I should before now, have interfered individually in the way you suggest, or in some other way, in order if possible to effect a compromise, uncommitted as I am, my duty; though it may be done with the most extreme regret. My duty in the relation in which I now stand tot he parties, is plain and straight forward. By an official interposition, I might embarrass my course, and urge a measure for the purpose of effecting a compromise, and it should fail, and in the end, should I find it my duty to ACT contrary to the ADVICE I had given, it might be said, that I either advised wrong, or that I was partial to one side or the other, in giving advice that I would not, as an officer follow. A more clear and indisputable right does not exist, that the Mormon people, who were expelled from their homes in Jackson county, to return and live on their lands, and if they cannot be persuaded as a matter of POLICY, to give up that right, or to qualify it, my course, as the chief executive officer of the State is a plain one.-The constitution of the United States, declares, "that the citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States." Then we cannot interdict any people who have a political franchise in the United States from emigrating to this state, nor from choosing WHAT PART of the state they will settle in, provided they do not trespass on the property or rights of others.-Our State constitution declares that the people's "right to bear arms, in defence [defense] of themselves, and of state, cannot be questioned."-Then it is their constitutional right to arm themselves. Indeed our military law, makes it the duty of every man, not exempted by law, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, to arm himself with a musket, rifle, or some fire-lock, with a certain quantity of ammunition &c.: and again, our constitution says, "that all men nave a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences." I am fully persuaded that the eccentricity of the religious opinion and practices of the Mormons, is at the bottom of the outrages committed against them.
They have the right constitutionally guaranteed to them, and it is indefeasible, to believe, and worship JOE SMITH as a man, an angel, or even as the only true and living God, and to call their habitation Zion, the Holy Land, or even heaven itself. Indeed there is nothing so absurd or ridiculous, that they have not a right to adopt as their religion so that in its exercise they do not interfere with the rights of others.
It is not long since an imposter [impostor] assumed the character of Jesus Christ, and attempted to minister as such; but I never heard of any combination to deprive him of his rights.
I consider it the duty of every good citizen of Jackson county and the adjoining counties to exert themselves to effect a compromise of these difficulties, and were I assured I would not have to act in my official capacity in the affair, I would visit the parties in person and exert myself to the utmost to settle it. My first advice would be to the Mormons to sell our their lands in Jackson county, and to settle somewhere else, where they could live in peace, if they could get a fair price for them, and reasonable damages for injuries received. If this failed I would try the citizens and advise them to meet and rescind their illegal resolves of last summer; and agree to conform to the laws in every particular, in respect to the Mormons. If both these failed, I would then advise the plan you have suggested, for each party
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to take separate territory, and confine their numbers within their respective limits, with the exception of the public right of ingress and egress upon the highway. If all these failed then the simple question of legal right would have to settle it. It is this last that I am afraid I shall have to conform my action to in the end, and hence the necessity of keeping myself in the best situation to do my duty impartially.
Rumor says that each party are preparing themselves with cannon. That would be illegal, it is not necessary to self defence [defense], as guaranteed by the constitution, and as there are no artillery companies organized in this state, no field pieces provided by the public, an preservation of that kind will be considered as without right, and, in the present state of things, would be understood to be with a criminal intent. I am told that the people of Jackson county expect assistance from the adjoining counties, to oppose the Mormons in taking or keeping possession of their lands. I should regret it extremely if any should be so imprudent as to do so; it would give a different aspect to the affair.
The citizens of Jackson county have a right to arm themselves and parade for military duty in their own county independent of the Commander-in-Chief, or some other authorized by him, it would produce a very different state of things. Indeed the Mormons have no right to march to Jackson county in arms, unless by order or permission of the Commander-in-Chief, men must not "levy war" in taking possession of their rights, any more than others should in opposing them in taking possession.
As you have manifested a deep interest in a peaceable compromise of this important affair, I presume you will not be unwilling to be placed in a situation, which, perhaps, you can be more serviceable to those parties. I have therefore taken the liberty of appointing you an aid to the commander-in-chief, I hope it will be agreeable to you to accept. In this situation you can give your propositions all the influence they would have, were they to emanate from the Executive without committing yourself, or the command-in-chief, in the event of failure. I should be glad, if you, or some of the other gentlemen who joined you in your communication, would keep a close correspondence with these parties, and by each mail write to me.
The character of the State has been endured in consequence of this unfortunate affair; and I sincerely hope it may not be disgraced by it on the end.
With high respect your obed't serv't
(Signed) DANIEL DUNKLIN."
EDUCATION.
By a reference to the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, it will be seen that the Lord, in an early day gave directions for teaching the saints all manner of instructions. As far back as 1832, we find the following:
Therefore, verily I say unto you, my friends, call your solemn assembly, as I have commanded you; and as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom: seek learning even by study, and also by faith. Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God; that your incomings may be in the name of the Lord; that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the most High.
Therefore, cease from all your light speeches; from all laughter; from all your lustful desires; from all your pride and light-mindedness, and from all your wicked doings. Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time, and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken, that all may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege.
See that ye love one another; cease to be covetous, learn to impart one to another as the gospel requires; cease to be idle, cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated: and above all things, clothe yourselves with the bonds of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace: pray always, that you may not faint until I come: behold, and lo, I will come quickly, and receive you unto myself: Amen.
There are several other places in the said Doctrine and Covenants, giving instructions and directions to not only teach the children but to teach one another. This as far as could be has been done, and many of the Saints have gone so far as to obtain several of the learned languages since they came into the Church.
In fact the day is not far distant when all nations will marvel at the knowledge and wisdom of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day-Saints. What has been done can be done again. When they find a place of "rest"-a Library, a Museum, and a place of Antiquities, will be among the first works of wisdom. To this end, let the elders that go to the nations prepare accordingly. In Germany they will (1078)
find such a catalogue as the following document described to cull and collect from:
"In the means of Education, the north of Germany far surpasses every other country-The Protestant States are more enlightened than the Catholic, and in Saxony there is hardly a peasant that cannot read and write. In Prussia, there are upwards of twenty thousand elementary schools. The gymnasia of the north of Germany are celebrated; they are schools preparatory to the universities; but the studies pursued in them are equal to the universities in some countries. The gymnastic exercises are pursued in some, though in the most they are discontinued. The universities of Germany are the best in the world. They have students from every European nation, and America. The university of Gottingen, though it has been established but about a century, holds the first rank; but the universities of Berlin, Jena, Halle, and Leipzig, are celebrated. In 1826 there were in the German universities, thirteen thousand two hundred and ninety-five students, and nine hundred and twenty-seven instructors. At Berlin, there were fifteen hundred and twenty-six students, at Halle, eleven hundred and nineteen, at Gottingen, fifteen hundred and forty-five, and at Leipzig, thirteen hundred and eight-four.-The smallest number out of twenty universities, was two hundred and fourteen. The instructions are given any, in a great measure, by lectures, and one professor often lectures in several subjects. The libraries are the best and most extensive in the world; and any student may take out many books at a time, a hundred if he will. The libraries contain all that is valuable in ancient or modern science. The library at Gottingen, contains three hundred thousand volumes, all collected in less that a century. North of the Mayne, it is difficult to travel a day without finding a library; at Carlsruhe, is one of seventy thousand volumes; at the distance of a few hour's ride, is another, at Heidelberg, of thirty thousand volumes. At the distance of thirty miles, is a third, at Darmstadt, of ninety thousand volumes; at Mentz is another of ninety thousand, and another still at Frankfort, of one hundred thousand. Thirty miles from Frankfort, is a small library of twenty thousand volumes, but at Marburg, twenty miles further, is one of fifty-five thousand. At Cassel, the library contains 70,000 volumes, and from this town the traveller [traveler] may arrive in a day at Gottingen, where he finds a collection of three hundred thousand books; and at Walfenbuttel, about forty miles distant is another of two hundred thousand. At Hamburg are two libraries, one of twenty-five thousand, the other of eighty thousand volumes.-At Weimar, is another library of ninety-five thousand volumes; and at Jena, a second of thirty thousand. Dresden has one of two hundred and fifty thousand volumes; Berlin another of one hundred and fifty thousand, and Munich one of the greatest, four hundred thousand. Thirty-one libraries in Germany contain more than three million three hundred thousand volumes, or on a average, one hundred and seven thousand each. The thirty-one largest libraries in the United States, do not contain two hundred and fifty thousand volumes."
Brethren, "wisdom shall be justified of her children" and knowledge of God cover the earth as the waters have the seas in spite of all the combined efforts of wicked weak beings!-Whose wisdom is able to cope with God?
SINGULAR PHENOMINA.
During the last few weeks various singular appearances have been at different times visible in the heavens. About a fortneight [fortnight] ago, a star belonging to that class of physical phenomena generally known by the name of "falling planets," was seen by many of the inhabitatnes of St. Helier's (Jersey,) and after careering [careening?] through the heavens for some minutes, it was observed to descend rapidly to the earth, bursting into a thousand fragments. It is curious and interersting at all times to watch the phenomena of the celestial sphere, especially from the circumstances that so far as modern science has yet determined, they exercise no inconsiderable effect on the general operations of the terrestrial world. Within the period of eight weeks the savans of Jersey have had their scientific casuistry called into the field to indulge in speculations respecting comets, auroa borealis, shooting stars, and various other appearances of a singular and remarkable nature, and if we may judge from the immediate past, they will require, in order to exercise their ingenuity, to keep awake during the night for a considerable time further. On Saturday evening se'nnight, or rather early on Sunday morning, another phenomenon made its appearance in the sky, if possible more strange than any which have of late preceded it. A globe of fire, apparently of the dimensions of a good-sized balloon, was observed to move about from position to position, making its appearance now in one place, now in another. It might be seen at one moment blazing with all the crimson lustre [luster] of the sun as it sets in an autumnal sky, in another shining with a full, clear, and burnished light, irradiating the whole aerial vault. Some times stationary, it would all of a sudden shift its position,
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and locate itself upon a spot at a considerable distance. Here again it would remain for a few minutes, when, as if tired of the quarters it had chosen, migrate without further ceremony to another. Alternately the subject of these appearances, it remained for nearly an hour, when in a second, becoming detached from the spot on which it was fixed, it flew with a tremendous velocity through the sky, and took refuge behind a dark and murky cloud.-[Weekly Dispatch, Sept. 14th.]